Born 1994 in Denver Colorado, United States
Resides and works in Banner Wyoming, United States

Education/training:

2017-2021: Studio Apprenticeship, Neltje Doubleday, Banner WY, United States

2013-2017: BFA, University of Wyoming, Laramie WY, United States
2011-2013: Studio Apprenticeship, David Alan Clark Sculpture, Lander WY, United States

Selected solo exhibitions:

2025, O.S.D, Neltje Studio, Banner WY, United States
2020, Mia Bella, Neltje Estate Gallery, Banner WY, United States

2019, Infrared, LW Gallery, Sheridan WY, United States
2017, The Good Birds Club, THAT Gallery, Laramie WY, United States
2015, Excerpts, THAT Gallery, Laramie WY, United States

Selected group exhibitions:

2025, Strange on the Range, Cheyenne Creativity Center, Cheyenne WY, United States

2019, Twisted Dreams, LW Gallery, Sheridan WY, United States

2017, BFA Exhibition, University of Wyoming Visual Arts Gallery, Laramie WY, United States

2017, PACKPLAY2 World Design Summit, Palais des congrès de Montréal, Québec, Canada
2016, 41st Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, University of Wyoming Art Museum, Laramie WY, United States

2015 40th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition, University of Wyoming Art Museum, Laramie WY, United States
2014, University of Wyoming Art Dept. Portfolio Review, Gallery 234, Laramie WY, United States

2013, Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Lander Art Center, Lander WY, United States

Selected collections:

Neltje Estate, Banner WY, United States
University of Wyoming, Laramie WY, United States

Lucas Watkins features in various national and international private collections.

Awards:

2017, PACKPLAY2 International Packaging Design Competition (finalist), Palais des congrès de Montréal, Québec, Canada

2014, University of Wyoming Art Dept. Portfolio Review (Best in Show), University of Wyoming, Laramie WY, United States

2013, Annual Juried Art Exhibition (Best in Show), Lander Art Center, Lander WY, United States

Published Works:

Interior Illustration/Writing/Design - “Blueprint” in Strange on the Range (2024).
Creator/Artist/Writer - “Memory Serves” in Blueprint (2024).
Interior Illustration - “Spinner the Whirlwind” in Spinner #1 (2023).

Bibliography:

Sylvain Allard, Avons-Nous Besoin D’un Autre Embal-Lage?. Québec: Éco Enterprises Québec, 2017.

Professional contributions (art-related jobs, curatorial contributions, teaching, mentorships, member of a board, etc.):

2023-Current: Residency Assistant, Jentel Artist Residency, Banner WY, United States.

2022-Current: Founder/Creator, Delusional Comics, Sheridan WY, United States.

2021-Current: Studio Manager, Neltje Center for Excellence in Creativity and the Arts, Banner WY, United States.

2019-2020: Founder/Operator, LW Gallery, Sheridan WY, United States.

2018-2020: Founder/Designer, LuketheLight Co. Sheridan WY, United States.

2017-2021: Studio Assistant, Neltje Doubleday Studio, Banner WY, United States.

2011-2013: Administrative Assistant, Lander Art Center, Lander WY, United States.

2011-2013: Studio Apprenticeship, David Alan Clark Sculpture, Lander WY, United States.

Bio

Lucas Watkins (b. 1994, Denver, Colorado, United States) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Banner, Wyoming. He works primarily in painting and drawing and is best known for his distinctive figural language depicting figures and still-life subjects in ethereal, atmospheric spaces. He is informed by his training in paint-making methods, including grinding pigments and preparing handmade gessoes, oil sticks, and oil colors.

From 2017 to 2021, Watkins served as the studio assistant and apprentice to the late abstract painter Neltje Doubleday, a renowned artist, philanthropist, and founder of the Jentel Foundation. Their collaboration during the final years of her life shaped Watkins’ commitment to studio practice and deepened his understanding of the artist’s role within both legacy and place. His work explores figural, floral, architectural, and environmental motifs through vivid color compositions, often reflecting on themes of memory, the vestiges of love, and the things we carry quietly.

Lucas Watkins has exhibited in numerous group shows at the University of Wyoming Art Museum and creative centers across Wyoming, with solo exhibitions at independently founded and invitational galleries. His work has been showcased in numerous illustration and graphic arts publications, as well as independent small-press magazines.